Embracing Changes

                                   

“Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God. I am honored among the nations. I am honored over all the earth.” You know the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies, surrounds us and protects us; the True God of Jacob is our shelter, close to His heart. (Psalm 46: 10-11 The Voice)

            As I looked out into the darkness, my patio light allowed me to read my Bible and devotionals. For over two years, I have welcomed dawn from my lakeside patio and experienced numerous changes in my life along the way.

            Gradually, trees and bushes emerged along the shoreline. Squawking, but unseen, birds disturbed my quiet. I waited for the morning show.

            Anticipation of another breathtaking sunrise grew as the sky lightened. But blue-gray clouds obscured the colorful beauty. Only faint swatches of pink touched the eastern sky, which like invisible ink, quickly faded.

            Though disappointed, I continued to scan the expansive sky. Treasures appeared. Like foam from an ocean wave, a frothy, white cloud traveled over the heavens. Additional crisscrossing lines of white divided sections of transforming hues of gray, blue and white.

            Each time I gazed at a different area, a new complex picture surfaced to replace the previous one. My eyes went back and forth as I tried to keep up with every new design of the Artist’s masterpieces.

            My hoped for sunrise never materialized. However, God provided an unanticipated beauty I never imagined.

            Over the years, my life had not given me many of my hoped for dreams. Pain, death, and grief replaced the happy life I planned. Just as my morning display didn’t turn out the way I hoped it would, God has filled my life with unending blessings I never envisioned.

            I could have stomped indignantly into the house when gray clouds shielded the sun. But I would have missed the alternate beauty and an important lesson. Likewise, during my long journey of loss and grief, I have learned to slow down, be with God and see what surprises He provides.

            I look for Him in the midst of my despair, rejoice in the surprise blessings and share what He has done.   

Loving Father, help me to see you and embrace the changes in my life even when I hoped for something else. Amen

God's Artistry

You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. 2 Samuel 22: 29 NIV

            Pink icing clouds sprinkled the baby blue sky. A glowing planet appeared between branches of the cypress tree. Fiery clouds formed a backdrop for the silhouetted forest beyond the lake. Their reflections printed a copy on the still water as a chorus of birds accompanied the spectacular display.

            Like a gently turning kaleidoscope, the colorful designs changed moment by moment across the entire sky. Great egrets wandered along the shore. Tiny birds perched in naked trees. A pair of ducks skimmed the lake and wrinkled the glassy surface. Mesmerized by the magnificent spectacle, God’s artistry left me spellbound as I watched the transformation of the sky.

            Within minutes, brilliant red and pink hues muted to a dull pinkish gray and finally a whitish gray. The planet disappeared while trees, bushes, and flowers came into focus. As I watched the magnificent show, I wondered how many other sunrises I have missed. How many birds have I overlooked? How many dawn songs have I ignored?

            In my garden retreat, God displayed a sliver of his sensational creation. How thankful I was to start my day His glorious gift. Although the performance lasted only a few minutes, its effects and beauty remained with me all day.

            My morning blessing reminded me to look for evidence, both large and small, of His remarkable creation all around me each day.

Lord, thank you for your exquisite creation. Help me to appreciate all You have done. Amen